US5788421A - Blocking agent for rock cracks and method of blocking rock cracks - Google Patents
Blocking agent for rock cracks and method of blocking rock cracks Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5788421A US5788421A US08/898,927 US89892797A US5788421A US 5788421 A US5788421 A US 5788421A US 89892797 A US89892797 A US 89892797A US 5788421 A US5788421 A US 5788421A
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- United States
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- slurry
- underground
- hectorite
- cracks
- blocking
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- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- 239000002981 blocking agent Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 12
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 229910000271 hectorite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- KWLMIXQRALPRBC-UHFFFAOYSA-L hectorite Chemical compound [Li+].[OH-].[OH-].[Na+].[Mg+2].O1[Si]2([O-])O[Si]1([O-])O[Si]([O-])(O1)O[Si]1([O-])O2 KWLMIXQRALPRBC-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M Lithium hydroxide Chemical compound [Li+].[OH-] WMFOQBRAJBCJND-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 229910001868 water Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- TWRXJAOTZQYOKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L Magnesium chloride Chemical compound [Mg+2].[Cl-].[Cl-] TWRXJAOTZQYOKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229910001629 magnesium chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 235000019353 potassium silicate Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium silicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-][Si]([O-])=O NTHWMYGWWRZVTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000001027 hydrothermal synthesis Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910007981 Si-Mg Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 229910008316 Si—Mg Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000002425 crystallisation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008025 crystallization Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000010438 granite Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000013068 control sample Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011491 glass wool Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910021647 smectite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nitric acid Chemical compound O[N+]([O-])=O GRYLNZFGIOXLOG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000001246 colloidal dispersion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012153 distilled water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010335 hydrothermal treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 i.e. Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910017604 nitric acid Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003786 synthesis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- AZJYLVAUMGUUBL-UHFFFAOYSA-A u1qj22mc8e Chemical compound [F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[F-].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Na+].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].[Mg+2].O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Si]=O.O1[Si](O2)([O-])O[Si]3([O-])O[Si]1([O-])O[Si]2([O-])O3.O1[Si](O2)([O-])O[Si]3([O-])O[Si]1([O-])O[Si]2([O-])O3.O1[Si](O2)([O-])O[Si]3([O-])O[Si]1([O-])O[Si]2([O-])O3.O1[Si](O2)([O-])O[Si]3([O-])O[Si]1([O-])O[Si]2([O-])O3.O1[Si](O2)([O-])O[Si]3([O-])O[Si]1([O-])O[Si]2([O-])O3.O1[Si](O2)([O-])O[Si]3([O-])O[Si]1([O-])O[Si]2([O-])O3 AZJYLVAUMGUUBL-UHFFFAOYSA-A 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
- E21D9/00—Tunnels or galleries, with or without linings; Methods or apparatus for making thereof; Layout of tunnels or galleries
- E21D9/001—Improving soil or rock, e.g. by freezing; Injections
- E21D9/002—Injection methods characterised by the chemical composition used
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S106/00—Compositions: coating or plastic
- Y10S106/90—Soil stabilization
Definitions
- the present invention relates to geothermal technology, and more specifically, to an agent for blocking cracks artificially produced in the underground hot dry rocks in order to extract heat and a method of blocking the rock cracks using the agent.
- the object of the present invention is to provide an agent capable of blocking artificial cracks produced in the underground hot dry rocks within a short time, and further to provide a method of blocking the rock cracks by using the blocking agent.
- a blocking agent for underground rock cracks comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide as hectorite raw materials.
- a blocking agent for underground rock cracks is made of a slurry containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water.
- a method of blocking cracks artificially produced in the hot dry rocks present at depth of underground according to the present invention comprising the steps of:
- a slurry of blocking agent containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water;
- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a relationship between temperature and torque when a blocking agent slurry of the present invention is subjected to hydrothermal treatment in the temperature range up to 300° C. in a mixing-type autoclave;
- FIG. 2 is a structural view of the hydrothermal reaction device used in a simulation test for blocking cracks employing a blocking agent slurry of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change of the inner pressure of a reaction tube in a hydrothermal reaction device, when the reaction tube is continuously heated on the reaction temperature of 250° C. in a simulation test for blocking cracks performed by using a blocking agent slurry of the present invention.
- Hectorite for use in the present invention is a kind of smectite clay having a chemical composition of Na 0 .2-0.5 (Mg 2 .5-2.8 Li 0 .2-0.5)Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 .nH 2 O (an ideal ratio of Na:Mg:Li:Si is 0.33:2.67:0.33:4).
- a blocking agent for underground rock cracks according to the present invention may be supplied either in powder or a slurry containing hectorite raw materials; however, the latter is of practical use. Therefore, when the blocking agent powder is supplied, the slurry is prepared on a working site.
- the blocking agent for underground rock cracks contains hectorite raw materials made of an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide corresponding with a desired hectorite composition.
- the blocking agent is used as a slurry containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water.
- the slurry is low in viscosity at a relatively lower temperature, but exhibits gelling properties with high viscosity when subjected to hydrothermal reaction at high temperature for 1 to 3 hours due to crystallization of hectorite.
- the effective gelling occurs in the underground temperature range from 200° to 250° C. in which geothermal energy is supposed to be preferably extracted.
- the cracks of the underground rocks can be blocked by the steps of: injection of the present blocking agent slurry containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water; allowing the slurry to flow into the cracks produced in the underground rocks; and allowing hectorite synthesized from the raw materials contained in the slurry to gel under high temperature conditions of underground.
- the present blocking agent slurry containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water
- starting slurry for hectorite was prepared as follows: In the first place, an Si-Mg solution having an Si/Mg ratio of ideal hectorite was prepared by mixing nitric acid dissolved water glass with an aqueous MgCl 2 solution. Subsequently, a homogeneous Si-Mg precipitate was allowed to generate in an aqueous NaOH solution. The homogeneous Si-Mg precipitate was filtrated and washed with distilled water to remove excess cations. Thereafter, the precipitate was mixed with an aqueous NaOH solution and an aqueous LiOH solution to obtain an ideal Na-hectorite composition, thereby finally prepared a slurry with hectorite concentration of 2%.
- the slurry thus obtained was hydrothermally treated in the temperature range up to 300° C. using a mixing-type autoclave. At this time, viscosity behavior in the hectorite formation process was monitored by means of a torque meter attached to a screw rotation axis of the mixing-type autoclave. The result is shown in FIG. 1. For comparison, the result of a control sample consisting of water alone (concentration: 0%) is also shown in FIG. 1.
- the torque value representing the viscosity of the 2% slurry rapidly increases in the range from 150° to 200° C. and then slightly decreases in the range about 200° C. or more. However, the torque is maintained at a relatively high value in the range of about 200° to 250° C.
- the viscosity behavior of the 2% slurry greatly differs from that of the control sample, i.e., water (0% concentration). It is known that the viscosity behavior is related to the crystallization of hectorite and particle-size distribution. From these results, it is considered that preferable temperature conditions for blocking cracks are in the range of about 200° to 250° C. in which hectorite is formed to give high viscosity. This temperature range of about 200° to 250° C. is coincident with that in which heat extraction is supposed to be preferably performed from the hot dry rocks present at depth of underground.
- a simulation test for blocking rock cracks was performed using a thermal-gradient type hydrothermal reaction device.
- the cracks produced in the underground hot dry rocks can be simulated by this device.
- the hydrothermal reaction device will be explained.
- glass wool 2 is packed in the bottom.
- granite fragments 3 are charged.
- a temperature controlling heater 4 is provided to the periphery of the middle portion of the tube reactor 1.
- a pressure control valve 5 and a pressure gauge 6 are provided, respectively.
- a slurry supply tube 7 is connected to the upper end of the tube reactor 1.
- a water pump 8 is connected to the slurry supply tube 7, a water pump 8 is connected.
- the inside of the slurry supply tube 7 is divided into two potions by a diaphragm 71.
- a starting slurry 72 is charged in the portion of the slurry supply tube 7 close to the tube reactor 1.
- Water 73 is contained in the portion close to the water pump 8. Water is fed from the water pump 8 into a slurry supply tube 7 and pushes the slurry 72 via the diaphragm 71, thereby supplying the slurry 72 into the tube reactor 1.
- the inner pressure of the tube reactor 1 exhibits fluctuation. This fluctuation reflects the fact that the flowing path formed between granite fragments is partially blocked as hectorite produces. Furthermore, the inner pressure abruptly increases at 200 minutes after the initiation of the test (120 minutes after supplying of the starting slurry). This abrupt and great increase in the inner pressure demonstrates that the flowing path formed between granite fragments is completely blocked by a hectorite gel.
- the underground rock cracks can be blocked by the steps of allowing the blocking agent slurry according to the present invention to flow into the cracks produced in the underground rocks, and allowing hectorite synthesized from the raw materials contained in the slurry to gel under high temperature circumstances of underground.
- the blocking agent of the present invention it is possible to increase the recovery of the injected water and the heat extracting efficiency in a method of making artificial cracks in the underground hot dry rocks and supplying water from an injection well to recover hot water through a production well.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
- Silicates, Zeolites, And Molecular Sieves (AREA)
Abstract
Underground rock cracks are blocked by using a slurry of blocking agent containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and lithium hydroxide and water, through the steps of injecting the slurry, allowing the slurry to flow into the cracks produced in rocks, and allowing hectorite synthesized from the raw materials contained in the slurry to gel under high temperature conditions of underground.
Description
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/566,994, filed on Dec. 4, 1995, now abandoned
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to geothermal technology, and more specifically, to an agent for blocking cracks artificially produced in the underground hot dry rocks in order to extract heat and a method of blocking the rock cracks using the agent.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, various developments have been made to extract heat from the hot dry rocks, which occur at depth of underground, as future methods of utilizing a geothermal energy. More specifically, there has been designed a method of producing artificial cracks in the underground hot dry rocks and injecting water from an injection well to recover hot water through a production well.
However, when the artificial cracks are made in the underground rocks, fine cracks are also produced over the entire rocks, so that the injected water may leak out through the fine cracks not part of a main path, lowering a recovery of the injected water. As a result, the overall efficiency of heat extracting system decreases.
Under the aforementioned circumstances, there has been a strong desire to develop an agent capable of blocking unnecessary artificial cracks produced in the hot dry rocks present at depth of underground.
The object of the present invention is to provide an agent capable of blocking artificial cracks produced in the underground hot dry rocks within a short time, and further to provide a method of blocking the rock cracks by using the blocking agent.
A blocking agent for underground rock cracks according to the present invention comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide as hectorite raw materials.
Furthermore, when used, a blocking agent for underground rock cracks according to the present invention is made of a slurry containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water.
A method of blocking cracks artificially produced in the hot dry rocks present at depth of underground according to the present invention, comprising the steps of:
injecting a slurry of blocking agent containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water;
allowing the slurry to flow into the cracks produced in the underground hot dry rocks; and
allowing hectorite synthesized from the raw materials contained in the slurry to gel under high temperature conditions of underground, thereby blocking the cracks.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a relationship between temperature and torque when a blocking agent slurry of the present invention is subjected to hydrothermal treatment in the temperature range up to 300° C. in a mixing-type autoclave;
FIG. 2 is a structural view of the hydrothermal reaction device used in a simulation test for blocking cracks employing a blocking agent slurry of the present invention; and
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a change of the inner pressure of a reaction tube in a hydrothermal reaction device, when the reaction tube is continuously heated on the reaction temperature of 250° C. in a simulation test for blocking cracks performed by using a blocking agent slurry of the present invention.
Hereinbelow, the present invention will be described in detail.
Hectorite for use in the present invention is a kind of smectite clay having a chemical composition of Na0.2-0.5 (Mg2.5-2.8 Li0.2-0.5)Si4 O10 (OH)2.nH2 O (an ideal ratio of Na:Mg:Li:Si is 0.33:2.67:0.33:4).
A blocking agent for underground rock cracks according to the present invention may be supplied either in powder or a slurry containing hectorite raw materials; however, the latter is of practical use. Therefore, when the blocking agent powder is supplied, the slurry is prepared on a working site.
The blocking agent for underground rock cracks according to the present invention contains hectorite raw materials made of an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide corresponding with a desired hectorite composition. The blocking agent is used as a slurry containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water.
The slurry is low in viscosity at a relatively lower temperature, but exhibits gelling properties with high viscosity when subjected to hydrothermal reaction at high temperature for 1 to 3 hours due to crystallization of hectorite. The effective gelling occurs in the underground temperature range from 200° to 250° C. in which geothermal energy is supposed to be preferably extracted. Therefore, the cracks of the underground rocks can be blocked by the steps of: injection of the present blocking agent slurry containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water; allowing the slurry to flow into the cracks produced in the underground rocks; and allowing hectorite synthesized from the raw materials contained in the slurry to gel under high temperature conditions of underground.
Owing to its excellent rheological properties, conventional synthetic hectorite of a colloidal dispersion type has been industrialized and used as mud-water for deep underground boring in various countries. However, no technology is known other than that of the present invention which takes advantage of the feature in that the slurry viscosity greatly differs before and after hectorite formation. In addition, it is not the case with other smectite clays but the characteristic phenomenon with hectorite that the viscosity is raised in a short time due to crystallization and gelling.
Hereinbelow, examples of the present invention will be described in detail.
In accordance with the method disclosed by K. Torii, T. Iwasaki, SYNTHESIS OF HECTORITE, Clay Science (6), 1-16 (1987), starting slurry for hectorite was prepared as follows: In the first place, an Si-Mg solution having an Si/Mg ratio of ideal hectorite was prepared by mixing nitric acid dissolved water glass with an aqueous MgCl2 solution. Subsequently, a homogeneous Si-Mg precipitate was allowed to generate in an aqueous NaOH solution. The homogeneous Si-Mg precipitate was filtrated and washed with distilled water to remove excess cations. Thereafter, the precipitate was mixed with an aqueous NaOH solution and an aqueous LiOH solution to obtain an ideal Na-hectorite composition, thereby finally prepared a slurry with hectorite concentration of 2%.
The slurry thus obtained was hydrothermally treated in the temperature range up to 300° C. using a mixing-type autoclave. At this time, viscosity behavior in the hectorite formation process was monitored by means of a torque meter attached to a screw rotation axis of the mixing-type autoclave. The result is shown in FIG. 1. For comparison, the result of a control sample consisting of water alone (concentration: 0%) is also shown in FIG. 1.
As evidenced in FIG. 1, the torque value representing the viscosity of the 2% slurry rapidly increases in the range from 150° to 200° C. and then slightly decreases in the range about 200° C. or more. However, the torque is maintained at a relatively high value in the range of about 200° to 250° C. The viscosity behavior of the 2% slurry greatly differs from that of the control sample, i.e., water (0% concentration). It is known that the viscosity behavior is related to the crystallization of hectorite and particle-size distribution. From these results, it is considered that preferable temperature conditions for blocking cracks are in the range of about 200° to 250° C. in which hectorite is formed to give high viscosity. This temperature range of about 200° to 250° C. is coincident with that in which heat extraction is supposed to be preferably performed from the hot dry rocks present at depth of underground.
A simulation test for blocking rock cracks was performed using a thermal-gradient type hydrothermal reaction device. The cracks produced in the underground hot dry rocks can be simulated by this device. Referring to FIG. 2, the hydrothermal reaction device will be explained. In a tube reactor 1, glass wool 2 is packed in the bottom. On the glass wool 2, granite fragments 3 are charged. To the periphery of the middle portion of the tube reactor 1, a temperature controlling heater 4 is provided. On the lowermost end and the uppermost portion, a pressure control valve 5 and a pressure gauge 6 are provided, respectively. A slurry supply tube 7 is connected to the upper end of the tube reactor 1. To the slurry supply tube 7, a water pump 8 is connected. The inside of the slurry supply tube 7 is divided into two potions by a diaphragm 71. A starting slurry 72 is charged in the portion of the slurry supply tube 7 close to the tube reactor 1. Water 73 is contained in the portion close to the water pump 8. Water is fed from the water pump 8 into a slurry supply tube 7 and pushes the slurry 72 via the diaphragm 71, thereby supplying the slurry 72 into the tube reactor 1.
First, water was supplied into the tube reactor 1 and middle portion of the tube reactor 1 was heated by the temperature controlling heater 4. After the temperature was attained to a reaction value, a valve was switched and the starting slurry 72 (hectorite concentration of 2%) was continuously supplied into the tube reactor 1 at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. During these operations, the inner pressure of the tube reactor 1 was monitored. FIG. 3 shows the change of the inner pressure when the reaction temperature was controlled to be 250° C.
As is evidenced in FIG. 3, after attained to the reaction temperature of 250° C., the inner pressure of the tube reactor 1 exhibits fluctuation. This fluctuation reflects the fact that the flowing path formed between granite fragments is partially blocked as hectorite produces. Furthermore, the inner pressure abruptly increases at 200 minutes after the initiation of the test (120 minutes after supplying of the starting slurry). This abrupt and great increase in the inner pressure demonstrates that the flowing path formed between granite fragments is completely blocked by a hectorite gel.
The complete blocking of the flowing path was observed in the same way as in FIG. 3 when a test was performed by controlling the reaction temperature of the tube reactor to be 200° C.
As is apparent from these results, the underground rock cracks can be blocked by the steps of allowing the blocking agent slurry according to the present invention to flow into the cracks produced in the underground rocks, and allowing hectorite synthesized from the raw materials contained in the slurry to gel under high temperature circumstances of underground.
Therefore, by using the blocking agent of the present invention it is possible to increase the recovery of the injected water and the heat extracting efficiency in a method of making artificial cracks in the underground hot dry rocks and supplying water from an injection well to recover hot water through a production well.
Claims (4)
1. A method of blocking cracks artificially produced in hot dry rocks present at depth of underground, comprising the steps of:
injecting a slurry of blocking agent containing hectorite raw materials in an amount of 1 to 10 wt %, which comprises an acidic precipitate of water glass and magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and water;
allowing the slurry to flow into the cracks produced in the underground hot dry rocks;
allowing hectorite synthesized from the raw materials contained in the slurry to gel under high temperature conditions of the underground, thereby blocking the cracks.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said hectorite synthesized under high temperature conditions of underground has a composition of Na0.2-0.5 (Mg2.5-2.8 Li0.2-0.5)Si4 O10 (OH)2 ·nH2 O.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature range of said high temperature conditions of underground is 200° to 250° C.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein gelling of hectorite is performed by allowing said slurry of blocking agent to react for 1 to 3 hours.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/898,927 US5788421A (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1997-07-23 | Blocking agent for rock cracks and method of blocking rock cracks |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP7117210A JP2636205B2 (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1995-05-16 | Underground crack closure material and underground crack closure method |
| JP7-117210 | 1995-05-16 | ||
| US56699495A | 1995-12-04 | 1995-12-04 | |
| US08/898,927 US5788421A (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1997-07-23 | Blocking agent for rock cracks and method of blocking rock cracks |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US56699495A Continuation | 1995-05-16 | 1995-12-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US5788421A true US5788421A (en) | 1998-08-04 |
Family
ID=14706121
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/898,927 Expired - Fee Related US5788421A (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1997-07-23 | Blocking agent for rock cracks and method of blocking rock cracks |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5788421A (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2636205B2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5956194A (en) * | 1994-09-16 | 1999-09-21 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Data storage apparatus |
| US6105673A (en) * | 1996-11-05 | 2000-08-22 | Harris; Todd K. | Patching of injection and production well annular casing leaks for restoring mechanical integrity |
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| US3522066A (en) * | 1966-12-06 | 1970-07-28 | Lithium Corp | Process for preparing aqueous mixed lithium and sodium (and/or potassium) silicate solutions |
| US3936383A (en) * | 1973-05-14 | 1976-02-03 | Nobutoshi Daimon | Sol of ultra-fine particles of synthetic hectorite |
| JPS52142730A (en) * | 1976-05-25 | 1977-11-28 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Silicate binder |
| JPS53113825A (en) * | 1977-03-15 | 1978-10-04 | Satsuki Kitani | Method of manufacturing inorganic waterproof product |
| JPS58185465A (en) * | 1982-04-21 | 1983-10-29 | 株式会社豊田中央研究所 | Water-resistant inorganic material |
| US4455171A (en) * | 1981-12-09 | 1984-06-19 | Societe Anonyme D'explosifs Et De Produits Chimiques | Reactivatable set-inhibited cementitious compositions |
| JPS60124690A (en) * | 1983-12-09 | 1985-07-03 | Raito Kogyo Kk | Stabilization of ground |
| US4737306A (en) * | 1985-07-24 | 1988-04-12 | Kenkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Layered silicates of limited swelling power, a process for their production and their use in detergents and cleaning preparations |
| US5221497A (en) * | 1988-03-16 | 1993-06-22 | Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd. | Elongated-shaped silica sol and method for preparing the same |
| US5569323A (en) * | 1993-05-21 | 1996-10-29 | Rhone-Poulenc Chimie | Inorganic liquid filler compositions for consolidation/sealing of ground formations and building materials |
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1995
- 1995-05-16 JP JP7117210A patent/JP2636205B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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1997
- 1997-07-23 US US08/898,927 patent/US5788421A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3522066A (en) * | 1966-12-06 | 1970-07-28 | Lithium Corp | Process for preparing aqueous mixed lithium and sodium (and/or potassium) silicate solutions |
| US3936383A (en) * | 1973-05-14 | 1976-02-03 | Nobutoshi Daimon | Sol of ultra-fine particles of synthetic hectorite |
| JPS52142730A (en) * | 1976-05-25 | 1977-11-28 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Silicate binder |
| JPS53113825A (en) * | 1977-03-15 | 1978-10-04 | Satsuki Kitani | Method of manufacturing inorganic waterproof product |
| US4455171A (en) * | 1981-12-09 | 1984-06-19 | Societe Anonyme D'explosifs Et De Produits Chimiques | Reactivatable set-inhibited cementitious compositions |
| JPS58185465A (en) * | 1982-04-21 | 1983-10-29 | 株式会社豊田中央研究所 | Water-resistant inorganic material |
| JPS60124690A (en) * | 1983-12-09 | 1985-07-03 | Raito Kogyo Kk | Stabilization of ground |
| US4737306A (en) * | 1985-07-24 | 1988-04-12 | Kenkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien | Layered silicates of limited swelling power, a process for their production and their use in detergents and cleaning preparations |
| US5221497A (en) * | 1988-03-16 | 1993-06-22 | Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd. | Elongated-shaped silica sol and method for preparing the same |
| US5569323A (en) * | 1993-05-21 | 1996-10-29 | Rhone-Poulenc Chimie | Inorganic liquid filler compositions for consolidation/sealing of ground formations and building materials |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5956194A (en) * | 1994-09-16 | 1999-09-21 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Data storage apparatus |
| US6105673A (en) * | 1996-11-05 | 2000-08-22 | Harris; Todd K. | Patching of injection and production well annular casing leaks for restoring mechanical integrity |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2636205B2 (en) | 1997-07-30 |
| JPH08312281A (en) | 1996-11-26 |
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